Blazing the Green Trail: UK Sets Renewable Energy Record

Summer in the UK this year has yielded a significant accomplishment for sustainability. The United Kingdom has set a new record for renewable energy output! Solar panels managed to produce 7.6 GW of power. Wind farms also helped contribute to the record.

The wind farms caught 9.5GW of energy. This record of 19.3 has helped meet more of UK’s energy demand. In an unprecedented but wholly welcome twist, renewable energy managed to provide energy more than the usual sources put together.

The production of coal was put to a sudden halt after the surge in power occurred. The United Kingdom has already begun lowering their production of coal and fully intends to do away with the practice by the year 2025.

What’s so great about wind and solar power?

Wind turbine farms are one of the more well-known sources of clean energy. In 2011, wind managed to supply 6.3% of Europe’s energy demand. Since then, wind farms have enjoyed a progressive annual growth.

Solar energy makes use of solar modules that are used to secure and develop electricity. In 2012, photovoltaic (PV) systems in Europe accounted for about 55% PV systems on a global scale.

Why good comes out of setting a new record?

Being able to supply the UK with more than half its demand for energy is a great way to silence detractors of renewable energy. There has been a bit of criticism regarding the boom for renewable energy. The loudest arguments regarding renewable energy have always been about how there has not yet been any sort of quantification of the actual amount of energy that could be produced. Most studies generate estimates.

This event in the UK now stands to show that renewable energy like solar panels and wind mills can generate more than enough power to sustain demand. They also drive down the prices of gas, coal and oil.

Other detractors love saying that this “going green” movement manner of obtaining energy would be robbing jobs from coal miners and whatnot. What they do not take into consideration the jobs which shall be generated because of the renewable energy plants. In 2009, over 550,000 people were able to secure jobs working in the renewable energy industry.

Ignore the Noise

When these occurrences become more and more common, the stronger the argument that supports the shift to green energy will be. There are strong criticisms about how green energy has drastically lowered shareholder value for German energy giants like E.ON. Let’s consider why. The existence of renewable energy has provided an alternative to the already established energy companies.

As more and more people are realizing that they save more money by going green, there will be less reason to patronize the old ways. Most complaints are driven by a loss in revenue. While that is understandable, it is also primarily selfish.

Europe can show the world that after the initial costs of installation, the rewards are long-lasting. If we achieve this more and more nations will adapt green energy and finally our world will catch a much needed break.